Wales' senior rugby squad trained against the U20s this week as both teams ramped up preparations for their respective summer campaigns. Head coach Steve Tandy oversaw the session, which provided a valuable opportunity to assess emerging talent.
Senior Wales summer schedule
The senior side will face the Barbarians at Twickenham later this month, followed by Nations Championship matches against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa in July. Tandy's squad, initially comprising 48 players, will grow as club commitments conclude, allowing the coach to continue his rebuild of the national team.
U20s prepare for World Championship
Richard Whiffin's U20s are gearing up for the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia. They open their campaign against the hosts on June 27, with further pool matches against Uruguay and South Africa in Tbilisi. After finishing eighth last year, the age-grade side aim to improve following a promising Six Nations campaign that saw narrow defeats to England and eventual champions France.
Encouraging return for Teddy Williams
In a welcome sight, Cardiff second-row Teddy Williams was spotted strapping up and participating in the training session, as shown in a Welsh Rugby Union Instagram post. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since October after suffering a serious foot injury against Connacht in the United Rugby Championship, when he landed awkwardly on his right leg from a lineout, dislocating his foot.
Young talents under scrutiny
The session allowed Tandy to closely observe younger players yet to feature in senior squads. Scarlets fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Cardiff wing Tom Bowen are among those impressing. Bowen, in particular, has caught attention with his try-scoring exploits for Cardiff this season.
Cardiff teammate Josh Adams has tipped Bowen for a senior call-up. "Certainly he could," Adams said. "Whenever Bows has been given the opportunity to play he's done nothing wrong at all. He's always threatening with the ball. That's Bows' point of difference. He's super agile on his feet, quick, and has explosive power. As a winger he ticks most boxes."
Adams added: "Tom is someone who will progress to be a full international in the not too distant future."
Building momentum
Wales are looking to build on their first Six Nations win in three years, with Tandy enjoying an extended period with his players. The training session against the U20s was described as full-blooded, aimed at battle-hardening both sides for the challenges ahead.
